Merck and Schering Delay 2Q Reports to Afternoon

July 21, 2008 9:05:56 AM PDT

NEW YORK (AP) - July 21, 2008 --

Kenilworth-based Schering-Plough and Merck in Whitehouse Station are delaying their second-quarter results until after the closing bell. The drugmakers first want to present data from a study of their cholesterol drug Vytorin.

The two companies market Vytorin through a joint venture.

Sales of the Vytorin and Zetia took a hit in January after a study showed Vytorin is no more effective at reducing plaque buildup than Zocor alone. Cheaper generic versions of Zocor are already on the market.

That study was completed in 2006, but data was not released until January. The companies have denied they delayed releasing the results or attempted to change the study's goals to make the results appear more positive.